The rise of the ugly Christmas sweater has steadily increased since the early-Aughts, thanks to Millennials and their love for literally anything remotely nostalgic. Those tacky, brightly-colored, reindeer/snowflake/sleighbell sweaters your relatives keep giving you? Yeah, those are like, a thing now. According to Google, the search term “ugly Christmas sweater” is up 30 percent from last year. Ugly sweaters have infiltrated pop culture, with retailers like Urban Outfitters and Hot Topic stocking them for the holidays.
Since these festive babies aren’t going anywhere, let’s take a look at 10 of the most beautiful ugly Christmas sweaters in TV and film.
Troy & Abed, Community
What happens when a Jehovah’s Witness goes undercover in order to celebrate Christmas? Pure comedic gold, that’s what.
Finn, Jake, The Ice King & BMO, Adventure Time
Is there anything cuter than an anthropomorphic video game console wearing an ugly Christmas sweater? (Rhetorical, but the answer is: no.)
Mark Darcy, Bridget Jones’ Diary
We’ve already discussed the fashion sensibilities of a one Bridget Jones, including what happens when you let your mother dress you for the holidays.
Miss Piggy & Scooter, The Muppets
The Muppets “Single All the Way” showed us what it’s like to be alone on the holidays. That, and ugly Christmas sweaters with blinking lights are a hot commodity.
Seth Cohen, The O.C.
First, let’s go over the meaning of “Chrismukkuh”:
Seth Cohen, the Manic Pixie Jewish Boy of my dreams, successfully coined the term in a 2003 episode of The O.C. while becoming the poster boy for cute, interfaith comic book nerds everywhere.
Ralph Parker, A Christmas Story
Technically not a sweater but these pajamas are A) an obnoxious color, B) probably made of extremely flammable polyester, and C) a present from a relative. Check, check, and check. (By the way, they exist IRL.)
Cast, Regular Show
“Merry Christmas, Mordecai” had it all: awkward exchanges, disco balls with mistletoe, and a glimpse of the ugly Christmas sweater’s close relative: the ugly Christmas vest.
Ron Weasley, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Lovingly knit by Mrs. Weasley, who has very good taste. (These also exist IRL.)
Carlton Banks, Fresh Prince of Bel Air
Alfonso Ribiero’s award-winning dance moves coupled with a (not that ugly) Christmas sweater? It’s so bad it’s good.
John Watson, Sherlock
I take it back. The only thing cuter than BMO in an ugly Christmas sweater is Martin Freeman wearing an ugly Christmas jumper in Sherlock.